Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the clinical trial evidence for safety and effectiveness of the proprioceptive exercises in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, in relation to disease activity, fall risk, functional capacity, and/or stability.
Methods: Search on PubMed and Cochrane Central (until October 30th 2014) using the keywords “Rheumatoid Arthritis AND (Balance OR Proprioceptive)”. Two researchers independently reviewed the studies. Inclusion criteria: exercise programs that used proprioceptive exercises applied to RA patients; assessment of disease activity, fall risk, functional capacity, and/or stability. Exclusion criteria: duration of exercise program less than eight weeks or frequency less than twice a week; case studies; articles not written in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. PEDro scale and the following items used to assess quality of studies: described source of subjects; defined inclusion and exclusion criteria; described exercise programs; reported reasons for withdrawals; reported side-effects; prior estimate of sample size; blinded assessors.
Results: Were included 6 studies in systematic review. Sample size was small in most studies. Some studies showed improvements in disease activity, functional capacity, fall risk, and stability.
Conclusions: There is some evidence that proprioceptive exercises are safe and effective in RA patients. However, to have a stronger body of evidence there is a need for more studies.